Barrel washer



Nov. 3o, 194s. Q HURST l2,454,924

BARREL WASHER Filed May 19,' 1944 4 SheetsfShee-t l l 7 CoM/:M5550 au? L//vc' EJEcTo/e CAM n V'- :5 [30 5 EMU 3m/5H EN@ BRUSH cmq l sue/vala VALVE I N VEN TOR. 650,665. l.. Hz/@s Nov. 30, 1948.

Filed may 19, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 r s Rm v 0 U Y E TH N WL r 1% .m w W E md G, ,9o Hl .B Z ,M Q 5/ 09.1. 0 y l 4. 4 7 Z 39 54 4 u 1 .|\J wo 0 4 55m ZJ 4 Nov. 30, 1948.

G. L'. HURST BARREL. WASHER Filed May 19, i944 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VEN TOR. GEO/@6E L. Hu/esr G. HuRsT 2,454,924

BARREL WASHER Nov. 30, 1948.

Filed May 19, 1944 4 sheets-snee; 4

INVENTOR. GEORGE L. Hu/ esT H7 7 ORNEVS.

Patented Nov. 30, 1948 BARREL WASHER George L. Hurst, vSan Francisco, Calif., assigner l of one-half to Alexander Bauer and one-half to Ernest Thompson, both of San Francisco,

Calif.

Application May 19, 1944, Serial No. 536,315

8 Claims.

ThisV invention relates to a barrel Washer and has for one of its objects the provision of a washer adapted to more efficiently clean the outsides of barrels than heretofore.

Another object of the invention .is the provision of an automatic barrel washer that is adapted to scrub the ends and sides of barrels for a predetermined length of time sufficient to insure a thorough cleaning thereof and to remove each barrel so Washed While admitting another barrel to the scrubbing process as soon as the previously washed barrel is removed. The ejection or removal of the Washed barrel and the admission of a barrel to take the place in .the scrubbing compartment of the removed barrel are automati-cally performed so that all an operator is required to do is to feed the barrels to a delivery line that communicates with the scrubber and delivers the barrels to the latter at the proper time.

Other objects and advantages Will appear in the drawings and in the description. c

In the drawings Fig. 1 is a semi-diagrammatic view of the scrubber and control system therefor.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the scrubber, the delivery and discharge conveyors from the Wash and rinse compartments at opposite sides thereof being only partially shown.

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the scrubber from one side thereof, the delivery and discharge conveyors from the wash and rinse compartments being only partially shown.

Fig. el is aside elevational view of the barrel ejecting device detached from the scrubber.

Fig. 5 is a part sectional, part elevational View of one of the brushes for scrubbing .one 0f the ends of a barrel, and which view includes the means for mounting the brush for rotation and for reciprocation.-

Fig. 6 is an end elevational view of the body brush and frame supporting the same, the scrub ber compartment walls being indicated in section. This brush is forscrubbing the .body of the barrel.

In detail the invention as illustrated (Figs. 2, 3) may generally comprise a Washer or soaker I through which the barrels are conducted in a row to a scrubber 2. The scrubbing of the heads or ends of the barrels and the sides by brushes occurs in the scrubber, and after this step is completed the barrels `are delivered to the rinser for passage therethrough.

The Washer or soa-ker l may be provided with any suitable piping, spray nozzles, etc. (not shown) for washing the barrels with whatever medium is found to .be most vdesirable for effecting the cleaning. The rinser 3 may also be provided with any desirable type of rinsing equipment. The present invention is not particularly con cerned with the piping and solutions or liquid used in the soaking, Washing or rinsingv operations.

. The barrels Il (dot-dash line in Fig. El)` may be of the usual drum type or of the type having convex sides and are adapted to be supported in the Washer `I in a row on their Vsides rfor .rolling on spaced horizontal tracks or strips 5 extending longitudinally v.of such row. These tracks 5 may be carried in any suitable manner in the washer spaced above the floor of the latter andthe barrels are rolled along said tracks to 'the scrubber by meansof spaced cross bars 1 carried atv their ends by endless chains 8. A pair of sprockets -at each end ofthe Washer support the chains, `the pair adjacent said Washer being indicated at 9 and being secured on shaft It. Each bar 'l may carry spaced rollers or disks I! therein for en gaging barrels of the usual barrel'shape having convex sides rather than barrels of the drum type, said rollers being equally applicable for both types however, and they function to assist in centering the barrels inthe washer on tracks 5. Leaf springs secured at one of their ends to the sides of the Washer and extending at their opposite ends I3 (Fig. 2) toward each other will also facilitate centering the barrels on tracks 5 before they enter the scrubber.

The scrubber 2 has lateral sides and a bottom. One of saidsides opens intothe Washer and the side opposite thereto opens intothe rinser, while a drain I4 opens outwardly from the bottom portion of the scrubber.

Within said scrubber and extending transversely thereacross and transversely relative to the Washer and rinser are a pair of horizontal spaced rotatably supported shafts l5, l respectively providedwith a pair of spaced rollers Il thereon. The rollers of said pairs are equally spaced apart and the rollers of each pair are flanged at i8 at their opposite outer sides (Fig. 2). This arrangement provides for supporting a barrel on rollers I'I `With the ilanges I8 outwardly of the opposite outer ends of the barrel so as to prevent excessive undesirable longitudinal shifting of such barrel.

The shaft I5 carries a pinion 2D at one end outside the scrubber housing (Fig. 2). Pinion 2l! is in .mesh with a gear ZI on a rotatably supported shaft 22. A pinion 23 on said shaft 22 is in mesh With a gear 2d on a shaft 25. This latter shaft 2,5 `carries a pairv of sprockets 26 secured thereto. One of said sprockets 26 connects with a drive sprocket 21 on shaft IB by a chain 23 while the other sprocket 26 connects by a chain 29 with a sprocket 30 on a shaft 3l which latter shaft constitutes a drive shaft in the rincer 3 for a conveyor means that is identical with that in the washer except that it movesthe barrels away from the scrubber.

The opposite end of shaft I carries a sprocket 33 that is connected by a chain 34 with a sprocket 35. The latter is secured on a rotatably supported shaft 36. that in turn is connected' by a belt 39 with a pulley 4I) secured to the drive shaft 4I of a motor 42.

The chain 34 also connects sprocket 33 with a sprocket 43 that is secured on one end of shaft I6. Thus motor 42 will drive shafts I5, IEin the same direction for rotating a barrel or drum 4 supported on rollers I1. At the same-time the said motor will drive the conveyor devices in the washer and in the rinser in a manner for moving barrels from the washer to the scrubber and then away from the scrubber through the rinser. A pair of end brushes- 44 face toward each other within the scrubber adjacent opposite side walls 45, 46 thereof. These brushes are spaced apart for receiving between them one of the barrels 4 with the heads of the barrels or drums adjacent the brushes respectively. Brushes 44 are secured on the adjacent ends of aligned shafts 41 that rotatably extend through the said side walls 45, 46, and which shafts are each rotatable and reciprocable in a bearing 48 outside each of said side walls (Fig. 5).

` One shaft 41 reciprocably extends through a hollow shaft 49V and the other shaft similarly extends through a similar shaft 56. The shaft 49 extends between bearings 48, 5I while shaft 59 extends between bearings 48, 52 and which bearings prevent longitudinal movement of shafts 49, 5U. Each shaft 41 is splined to the hollow shaft 49 or 5D through which it extends as best indicated in'Fig. 5. Thus rotation of the shafts 49, 50 will effect rotation of the brushes 44 and at the same time said brushes may be moved toward and away from each other.

The outer ends of shafts 441 are each connected with the piston rod 54 of a piston or plunger 55 in a cylinder 56 secured to a stationary support 51 (Fig. 5). A spring 58 in each cylinder functions to move the piston toward the outer end of each cylinder and to thereby move the brushes 44 in direction away from each other,

but upon admission of compressed air to within the outer end of each cylinder the pistons and brushes are moved in a direction toward each other for engagement between the brushes and the heads of a barrel or drum that is on rollers I1, as will later be described more in detail.

A sprocket 59011 hollow shaft 49 is engaged by sprocket chain 34, and a chain tightener wheel 60 positioned between sprockets 43, 59 functions to hold said chain taut and in driving engagement with sprocket 59.

A sprocket 6I on shaft 59 is connected by a sprocket chain 62 with a sprocket 63 that is secured on the end of shaft I6 that is opposite the sprocket 43. Thus the brush 44 that is connected with shaft 59 for rotation therewith will be driven upon rotation of shaft I6 (Fig. 2). A chain tightener 64 is also employed with chain 62.

A covered frame 65 extends .across the upper end of the scrubber compartment in which brushes 44 and rollers I'I are positioned. vThis Shaft 36 carries a pulley 38 frame is pivoted at the end nearest the washer I on 4a horizontal shaft 66 that is carried by wall 61 of the scrubber adjacent said washer I. Thus the opposite end of the frame may swing up and down.

An elongated, horizontally extending body brush 68 supported on a shaft 69 is below said frame and parallel with shaft 66. The shaft 69 is rotatably supported at its ends in suitable bearings 10 that are secured to said frame and one end of said shaft extends through an arcuate slot 1I in wall 46. The end of said shaft projecting outwardly from said slot carries a pulley 12. The pulley 12 is connected by belt 13 with a pulley 14 that is connected with the drive shaft of motor 15. The motor 15 is supported on the upper side of frame 65 for swinging with the latter. The brush 66 is positioned for swinging into and out of engagement with one side of the barrel or drum `ll that is supported on rollers I1, and said brush is preferably slightly offset in direction toward the rinser with respect to a vertical plane longitudinally bisecting a drum 4 that is on said rollers I1, as best seen in Fig. 3. From the foregoing it will also be seen that the brush 68 is driven independently of the brushes 44 and of any other part of the apparatus.

The outer end of frame 65 which is that end opposite shaft 66, is suspended from one of the ends of a pair of sprocket chains 90, and which chains extend over a pair of sprockets 8! (Fig. 3) secured to the scrubber frame in any suitable manner. The opposite ends of said chains 8D carry counterweights 83. These counterweights are not suiiciently heavy to hold the outer end of frame 65 elevated, but merely assist other power means for swinging said frame upwardly Whena scrubbing operation on a barrel 4 is completed so as to permit removal of the barrel. In operation the weight of the frame 65, brush 58, motor 15, etc. is sufficient to hold the brush 68 in scrubbing relation to a barrel 4. Said sprockets 8l are secured on a shaft 84 that is rotatably supported in suitable bearings on frame @2 (Fig. 3)

Y One end of said shaft 84 carries a sprocket' 85 (Figs. 1, 3) over which extends a chain 86 and to which sprocket one end of said chain is secured. The opposite end of chain 86 connects with the piston rod 81 of a piston that is reciprocable in an air cylinder 83. Upon introduction of compressed air into the end of cylinder 88 that is nearest sprocket 85,'it will be seen that shaft 84 will be rotated in a direction for raising the outer end of the frame 65 and the brush 68 will be elevated so as to permit removal of a barrel 4 from rollers I1. The cylinder 88 is stationarily secured on the scrubber frame by any suitable means such as bracket 89.

Below the shaft I 6 that is nearest the rinser, and parallel with said shaft is a rotatably supported shaft 90 that extends through the scrubber compartment. This shaft 96 has a pair of arms 9I secured thereto, and which arms extend under the ends of a barrel or of a drum4 that is adapted to be supported on rollers I1. The outer end portions 93 of said arms extend arcuately upwardly (Fig. 4) and portions 94 extend arcuately downwardly from the portions 93. The convex edges of said portions 94 `face toward the washer I and function to hold an oncoming barrel 4 from interfering with the removal of a barrel on rollers I1 while arms 9I and their end portions 93 are moved upwardly to roll a barrel from rollers I1 to rinser 3.

' On one end 'of shaft 99 and outwardly of side 45 of the scrubber is secured one end of .an arm 9,5. The opposite end of said arm is pivotally secured to the end of a piston rod 9610i .a piston that is reciprocable within .an -air cylinder 91. Said cylinder 91 is in turn pivotally secured to a bracket v99 that is in its turn secured to wall 45 (Figs. 1, 3, 4).

Upon injection of compressed air into the end of cylinder 91 at the :end thereof adjacent bracket 98 it will be seeen that the arms 9| will be rocked for rolling a barrel 4 olf lrollers I1 and onto a downwardly inclined pair of track sections 99 (Fig. 3) in the rinser 3, and which track sections connect with tracks in said rinser that correspond with tracks in the washer.

Once each barrel is on tracks |00 the cross bars |0| of chains |02 that are on sprockets |03 on shaft 3| will move the barrels in spaced relation through the rinser. Rollers or disks |04 are on cross bars |0| the same as is provided for in the washer by rollers or disks The shaft 3| is driven by chain 29 that extends over sprocket 30 on said shaft as has been previously described.

On shaft 3| is also a sprocket |06 that connects by a chain |01 with a sprocket |08 on shaft |09 of a timer located on top of the rinser adjacent the scrubber (Fig. 2, 3).

This shaft |09 has three cams ||I, H2, ||3 secured thereto and adjacent said cams are conventional lever type mercury switches ||4, H5, ||6 respectively, said switches each having its lever arranged for actuation by the cam adjacent thereto. Said switches are respectively in an electrical circuit in which are conventional solenoid actuated valves ||1, H8, H9.

The cam l I, switch I4, and valve ||1 are connected for actuation of the piston in air cylinder 91 that in turn actuates the arms 9| for ejecting a barrel from the scrubber into the rinser.

The cam l2, switch ||5 and valve ||8 are connected for actuation of the pistons in the cylinders 56, and which pistons are connected with the end brushes 44 for reciprocating the latter.

The cam I3, switch |6, andvalve I9 are connected for actuation of the piston in cylinder 88., and lwhich piston is connected with the frame 65 that carries the body brush 44 for lifting said brush through the chains 96, 80.

In operation the shaft |0 of the conveyor device in the washer is so synchronized with the cam so that a barrel 4 will not be delivered from tracks '5 onto inclined tracks |20 (Fig. 3) for rolling toward the rollers I1 until the ejector arms 9| are elevated, and when so elevated, such barrel on tracks |29 will engage the convex edges of portions 94 of said arms. As soon as the arms 9| are lowered the barrel against portions 94 vwill automatically roll onto the rollers.

Also the delivery conveyor inthe rinser is so synchronized with cam |||I that the bar-rel rolled off the rollers |1 will automatically roll between a pair of cross bars |9| of said delivery conveyor. The end brushes and the body brush are continuously rotating, as are the rollers |1', timer shaft i |09 and conveyor shafts l0, 3|.

With the above explanation a cycle'of operation will be explained, assuming that a barrel 4 has been delivered onto rollers 1 and the endbrushes and body brush are in operation as seen in Fig. 1.

pistons fin said. -zcylinders tobe'exhausted through lines |26 and :exhaust |21 of valve ||;8 and to cause retraction of the lbrushes away from the ends of the drum. Cams and `l I3 then function substantially simultaneously to respectively cause valves and |9 to open to compressed air in line |25 through lines |28. |29 respectively connected with cylinders 91, 88. Thus the brush 68 will .be raised and ejector arms 9| will be rocked thereby l.electing the barrel 4 onto the track sections leadingto the rinser.

-As cam l||| continues to rotate it relatively quickly moves to :a position for actuating valve l i1 for shutting ofi the air to cylinder 91 and permitting the air therein to exhaust through exhaust |30or valve ||1 whereby arms 9| will automatically be lowered, and a barrel 4 will automatically roll onto rollers |1. The cam ||2 next functions to actuate valve H8 for admitting air into cylinders 56 for moving the rotating end brushes into engagement with the ends of the rotating drum, and finally the valve ||9 is actuated by 'action of cam ||3 for shutting off the air to cylinder 88 whereupon the body brush will be lowered by gravity onto the barrel and the air in cylinder 88 will be exhausted through exhaust |3| of valve ||9. The cycle is then repeated.

The timing of the cams is entirely discretional with the operator (but the operations are generally in order described) inasmuch as such timing may vary with the condition and sizes of the barrels. The particular setting of the cams in Fig. l is not therefore to be taken as critical or correct for all circumstances.

One of the important structural features in this invention is the positioning of the end brushes so that the axis of rotation of each brush is oiset to one side of the axis of rotation of the barrel on rollers I1. The length of each brush is slightllr greater than the radius of each barrel head. With each `brush onset so that each brush will extend lengthwise from the rim of the barrel 'to past the center of each head it Vwill be seen thatV every portion of the barrel head will be scrubbed thoroughly.

By the automatic means herein described for moving the barrels or drums from the inlet of the `washer to the outlet of the rinser, and through the scrubber, the minimum of labor and time is required and this is very important inasmuch as the cost of cleaning the barrels or drums must in normal times be appreciably less than the cost of new barrels or drums. y

The invention as hereinbefore described and as illustrated ,in the drawings is not to be considered restrictive of the invention, but merely illustrative of a preferred form thereof.

Having described the invention, I claim:

1` In a barrel washer, means for supporting a barrel von its side for .rotation about its longitudinal'axis andA for so rotating said barrel, a rotary brush supported for rotation about an axis parallel with the aforesaid horizontal axis but offset to one side thereof, means supporting said brush for said rotation and .for engagement with one end of said barrel during rotation of the latter, said brush being positioned to extend across the said axis of rotation of said barrel and to the sides of said barrel for scrubbing the entire exposed surfacev of said `end upon one revolution of such barrel on its axis, said brush being movable axially of its axis of rotation toward and away from -said barrel, pneumatically actuated means connectedwith said brush for so moving said brush axially thereof toward lsaid barrel during said rotation of said brush, valve and spring means associated with said pneumatically actuated means for .respectively rendering the latter inoperative for so moving said brush toward said barrel and for moving said brush away from said barrel.

2. In a barrel washer, means for supporting a barrel on its side for rotation about its longitudinal axis and for so rotating said barrel, an elongated rotary brush extending axially ofsaidaxis and rotatable about its axis, meanssupporting said brush for-said rotation and for movement laterally of said barrel into and out of engagement with a side thereof during rotation of said barrel and of said brush, the saidrneans supporting said brush for said rotation thereof 'and for said movement laterally of said barrel comprising a generally horizontal frame pivoted at one end for swingingof yits opposite end vertically tward and away from said barrel, said brush being rotatably carried on said AOplYOsite end.`

3. In a barrel washer, means for supporting a barrel on its side for rotation about its longitudinal axis and for so rotating said barrel, an elongated rotary brush extending axially of said axis and rotatable about its axis, means supporting said brush for said rotation and for movement into and out of engagement with a side of said barrel offset to one side of a vertical plane parallel with the axis of said barrel and bisecting the latter during rotation of said barrel andV of said brush, the said meanssupporting'said brush for rotation thereof and for saidmovement laterally of said barrel comprising a generally horizontally disposed frame pivoted at one end for swinging of the opposite end by gravity about a horizontal axis downwardlytoward said barrel, said brush being rotatably carried on said opposite end, power means for moving said opposite end ci said frame including said brush upwardly v from said brush, 4and a counterweight connected with said frame ,for facilitating actuation kof said last mention-ed means. i

4. A barrel washer of the character described comprising rotary power driven means forsupporting a barrel on its side for rotation about its axis, a pair of end brushes adjacent opposite ends of such barrel facing such ends and respectively supported for rotation about an axis parallel with the said axis of said barrel but offset to one side thereof, means for so rotating said end brushes, means for moving said end brushes into and out of engagement with the said ends of` such barrel, a horizontally extending rotary body brush supported for movement into and out of engagement with one side of a barrel when such barrel is on said power driven means, means for rotating said body brush about its longitudinal axis, barrel moving means for removing a barrell adapted to be supported on said power-driven means therefrom, means operatively connecting the said means for moving said end brushes and the said means for moving said body brush andthe said barrel moving means for automatic actuationnof the former two means for moving said end and body brush toward and away from, a barrel adapted to be supported on said" power driven means and for moving said barrel moving means to remove such barrel in the interval when said end brushes and said body brush are moved away from such barrel, and automatically actuated means for delivering a barrel onto said power driven means immediately upon such removal of a barrel therefrom.

5. In a barrel washer, means for supporting a barrel on its side for rotation Labout its longitudinal axis and for so rotating said barrel, a pair of horizontally opposed rotary brushes positioned to engage opposite ends of such barrel, the axes of said brushes being parallel and offset to one side of said longitudinal axis of said barrel, means for simultaneously rotating said brushes, and means for yieldably urging said brushes against said ends of such barrel during rotation of the latter and during rotation of said brushes, a horizontally extending rotary brush disposed above such barrel extending the full length of the latter, a motor connected with said brush for rotating the same, means swingingly supporting said brush and motorv for generally vertical movement of said brush against said barrel under the influence of the weight of said brush and motor, whereby said brush will be yieldably in engagement with said barrel during rotation of the latter and of said brush, and fluid actuated means for lifting said brush out of engagement with said barrel.

6. In a barrel washer, horizontally disposed rollers for supporting a barrel at its opposite end portion thereof vwith its axis horizontal for rotation of the barrel about its said axis, said rollers being positioned for engaging the lower side of said barrel adjacent its ends, and anges on said rollers extending over the end edges of said barrel for preventing longitudinal movement of the latter, means for rotating said rollers in one direction for rotating a barrel thereon, rotary brushes positioned to engage opposite ends of said barrel, the axes of said brushes being parall-el with the axis of said barrel, means for rotating said brushes on their said axes, pneumatically urged pistons connected with said brushes and respectively coaxial therewith for yieldably urging said brushes into engagement with the said endsof said barrel during rotation of the barrel and brushes.

7. In a barrel Washer, horizontally disposed rollers for supporting a barrel at its opposite'end portion thereof with its axis horizontal for rotation of the barrel about its said axis,.said rollers being positioned for engaging the lower side of said barrel adjacent its ends, and flanges on said rollers extending over the end edges of said barrel for preventing longitudinal movement of the latter, means for rotating said rollers in one direction for rotating a barrel thereon, rotary brushes positioned to engage opposite ends of said barrel, the axes of said brushes being parallel with the axis of said barrel, means for rotating said brushes on their said axes, pneumatically urged pistons connected with said brushes and respectively coaxial therewith for yieldably urging said brushes into engagement with the said ends `of said barrel during rotation of the barrel and brushesyieldable means for guiding barrels onto said rollers, and spring means for withdraw-.- ing said brushes from engagement with the opposite ends of said barrels.

8. In a barrel washer, supporting means for supporting a barrel on its side for rotation about its horizontal axis and for so rotating such barrel, a pair of rotary end brushes supported outwardly of opposite ends of said barrel for reciprocation intoA and out of engagement` with said ends, means for rotating said end brushes during said rotation of said barrel, a body brush positioned to engage the upper side of said barrel from end to end v,thereof during rotation ofthe barrel, ejector means for ejecting a barrel from said supporting means after the barrel has been scrubbed by said brushes, means for yieldably urging said end brushes into engagement with said ends during rotation of said barrel and brushes, means for revolving said body brush, pneumatically actuated means for yieldably urging said end brushes into engagement with the ends of the barrel during rotation of the latter and for elevating said body brush to said elevated position and for actuating said ejector means for ejecting said barrel, means for yieldably urging said body brush into engagement with a side of said barrel and means for moving said end brushes to retracted position, feed means for automatically feeding a barrel onto said rollers after each actuation of said ejector means, and control means for automatically controlling the movement of said body and said end brushes into and out of engagement with a barrel on said rollers and for controlling the actuation of said ejector means for repeating the scrubbing and ejection of barrels fed onto said rollers from said feed means.

GEORGE L. HURST. 25

1 0 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 400,346 Klamt Mar. 26, 1889 450,149 Gottfried Apr. 14, 1891 966,507 Wright Aug. 9, 1910 972,058 Chisholm Oct. 4, 1910 1,015,585 Prentice Jan. 23, 1912 1,231,092 Suhm June 26, 1917 1,644,386 Kendall Oct. 4, 1927 1,662,995 Atwood et al Mar. 20, 1928 2,328,675 Ribbans Sept. 7, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 162,712 Germany Sept. 16, 1905 553,774 France Feb. 16, 1923 

